Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday visited Project Panda – the working title for Netflix’s live action anime series, One Piece, which is currently shooting on location at the Cape Town Film Studios.
One Piece is a live-action pirate adventure series, based on one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
In a statement issued by The Presidency, the visit by Ramaphosa allows Netflix and its local partners Film Afrika to showcase the Project Panda production and its contribution to South Africa’s creative industry.
Last year, Netflix announced a commitment of $400 000 (approximately R5.5 million) to support black creatives in the South African film and television industry.
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“The Netflix Black Creatives Empowerment Fund will be implemented in a two-pronged approach: the first being a grant of around R1.4 million to the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective and the second of more than R4m designated for fully-funded scholarships and student debt relief at higher education institutions in South Africa,” reads the statement.
To have the presence of a global brand like Netflix investing in South Africa is something we cherish. The creative industry is a great opportunity for job creation and we will continue to ensure that we provide a conducive policy environment for investors in this space #InvestSA pic.twitter.com/jtdpwnKrQD
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 17, 2022
One Piece is Netflix’s biggest production project in Africa to date, covering South African labour, infrastructure and suppliers.
“Job creation, especially for young people, is setting the frontline locally and internationally. Hearing about investments like this in South Africa is something we cherish. The creative industry is the perfect sector to create jobs,” Channel24 quoted Cyril Ramaphosa as saying.
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Picture: Facebook/ Cyril Ramaphosa
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
